In December 2009, I (just like everybody else) was thinking about the end of the year and the things I had and had not accomplished, and what I could do better in 2010.

There were all these big things I wanted to do. Lots of crazy ideas that went unfinished. I realized that I am a bit ambitious. (Incidentally, it frustrates me when I meet people with a total lack of ambition, but that’s a different topic for a different day.) I want to do so many things at once, and do them well. I want to change the world with my art, take my family to live in Italy for a few years, open a coffee shop in West Nashville, go on mission trips, design typefaces, get in really good shape, learn languages, become a public speaker, be a better husband and father, etc.

But here’s the thing: for all my dreams and ambition, I’m not very motivated. I may be ambitious, but quite honestly sometimes I’m lazy.

I spend too much time surfing the ‘net and reading RSS feeds and watching movies and goofing off instead of actually getting my self in gear and taking action on the things I truly want to do.

I think it’s going to take some major work and discipline on my part to structure my time better so that I actually do these things.

Like the tagline that permanently branded Nike into our collective conscous: JUST DO IT.

Sure, the tagline has become something of a cliche over the years, but it’s still extremely powerful. Don’t dilly-dally. Don’t be lazy. Don’t make excuses. Just do it.

I need to set aside a block of time each day to work on my art. Make myself work at targeting my freelance services at the right people. Get up early each Saturday morning and do maintenance on the cars. Be fastidious about keeping the checkbook balanced.

So if this means I have to give up “fun” (but time-wasting) things like staying up late watching movies, I’m okay with that. The outcome is way better: I’ll actually be accomplishing something. Give that lizard brain a swift kick in the amygdala.